United States Patent [19] [11] Patent Number: 4,879,827

Gentry [45] Date of Patent: , Nov. 14, 1989

[54] SINGLE SHOT FALLING BLOCK ACI'ION 4,648,190
4,570,369 2/1986
3/1987 Allen
Gerfen ..... .. 42/23

RIFLE 42/23
[76] Inventor: Roger Gentry, 5005 Coronet La., Primary Examiner-Deborah L. Kyle
Arlington, Tex. 76017 Assistant Examiner-J. Woodrow Eldred
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles D. Gunter, Jr.
[21] Appl. No.: 152,756
[57] ABSTRACT
[22] Filed: Feb. 5, 1988
A single shot, falling block ri?e is shown having a one
[51] Int. Cl.‘ ............................... ............. .. F41C 7/00 piece stock. The ri?e includes a barrel having opposing
[52] U.S. Cl. 42/23 ends with a receiver mounted on one end of the barrel.
[58] Field of Search .................................... .. 42/23, 24 The receiver has a rearward face which includes an
[56] References Cited arch-shaped opening. A breechblock of lesser width
than the receiver slides upwardly and downwardly
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS within the arch-shaped opening allowing the size and
511,633 12/1893 Mason ................................... .. 42/23 weight of the action to be reduced. The action also
794,770 7/ 1905 Barning ..... .. 42/23 includes a positive sear lock safety and a spring loaded
42/23 striker which is manually cocked by means of the coop
3,382,597
3,355,833 12/1967
5/1968 Ruger et a1. ...... ..
42/23
3,710,493 1/1973 Gramiger et a1. ........ .. . 42/23 erative action of an operating lever, connecting link and
3,733,729 5/1973 Baker ................ .. 42/23 cocking lever.
4,040,l96 8/1977 Smith et a1. . 42/23
4,128,956 12/1978 Foote .................................... .. 42/23 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets

37 39 l‘

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US. Patent Nov. 14, 1989 Sheet 4 of 5 4,879,827

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US. Patent Nov. 14,1989 Sheet 5 of5 4,879,827
 4,879,827
1 2
lesser relative width than the leading portion, the junc
SINGLE SHOT FALLING BLOCK ACI'ION RIFLE ture of the leading and trailing portions de?ning a lock
ing shoulder on the exterior of the breechblock. The
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION arch-shaped opening of the receiver includes a lip re
1. Field of the Invention gion which extends along the periphery of the opening,
The present invention relates to breechblock ri?es thereby de?ning a retaining ledge within the receiver
and, speci?cally, to a lever-cocked single shot falling interior adjacent the arch~shaped opening. The breech
block ri?e. , block locking shoulder contacts the retaining ledge 45
2. Description of the Prior Art of the receiver as the breechblock moves upwardly and
A variety of breechblock ri?es are known in the prior downwardly within the arch-shaped opening of the
art and are characterized according to the different type receiver. The locking shoulder also contacts the retain
of action. The speci?c type of action is determined by ing ledge within the receiver interior to form a recoil
the type of movement imparted to the breechblock as surface when the ri?e is ?red.
the breechblock moves into and out of engagement with A striker is mounted in the breechblock in line with
the cartridge chamber of the receiver. Typical known 15 the cartridge chamber when the breechblock is moved
actions include the swinging block action, the rolling by the operating lever upwardly to the ?ring position.
block action and the falling block action. A striker block is movable between a lock position in
A particularly well known falling block design is the which motion of the striker is prevented and a free
Ruger No. 1 Falling Block Action which comprises a position in which the striker is allowed to strike the
lever actuated single shot mechanism having a breech cartridge. Biasing means normally urge the striker
block contained, spring biased ?ring pin mechanism. block downwardly, away from the striker. A trigger is
The Ruger No. 1 design is described in US Pat. No. pivotally mounted within the breechblock for move
3,355,833. A description of other falling block actions ment between a cocked position and a thing position. A
can be found in the book “Single Shot Ri?es and Ac
25 sear is pivotally mounted within the breechblock for
tions”, by F. deHass (1969). movement into contact with the striker block to hold
his an object of the present invention to provide a
single shot falling block ri?e having an action which is the striker block in the locked position when the trigger
extremely simple and reliable in nature. is in the cocked position and for releasing the striker
Another object of the invention is to provide a falling block when the trigger is moved to the ?ring position.
block action ri?e having an accuracy approaching or 30 A safety is slidably mounted on the breechblock for
equalling that of a bolt action ri?e. vertical movement in a plane parallel to a rear wall of
Another object of the invention is the provision of a the breechblock between a safety position in which the
falling block ri?e with a novel ri?e action of suitable safety positively engages the sear in the locked position
dimension to allow the action to be incorporated within and a ready position. The safety has an upper extent
’ a single-piece stock without detracting from the existing 35 which protrudes above the breechblock when the safety
lines and aesthetic appearance of the single piece stock. is in the safetyposition and a lower extent which ex
tends below the breechblock in the ready position. The
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION upper extent provides not only means to position the
The falling block ri?e of the invention has an im safetyto “off” safe, but also acts as a cartridge stop to
proved action which is simple in design and economical prevent a live cartridge from being fully ejected from
to manufacture and which exhibits aesthetically pleas the action (when the safety is in on position).
ing lines while accommodating a broad range of cali The operating lever is pivotally connected to the
bers. The action can be provided of appropriate dimen receiver and to the breechblock via a connecting link
sions to allow the action to be contained within an open for moving the breechblock upwardly and downwardly
ing provided in a single-piece stock without detracting within the receiver. A cocking lever is pivotally
from or radically altering the lines or dimensions of the mounted within the breechblock for cooking the striker,
stock and thus preserving the aesthetic appearance of wherein movement of the operating lever causes a cam
the stock. surface on the connecting link to contact the cocking
The single shot ri?e includes a barrel having oppos lever to move the cocking lever and cock the striker.
ing ends. A receiver is mounted on one end of the bar 50
rel, the receiver having a forward face which joins the
An ejector is pivotally mounted within the operating
barrel and a rearward face separated by opposing sides lever and pinned within the receiver. A pre-extraction
which de?ne a length, a width and an interior of the lever is pivotally mounted within the receiver and is
receiver. The rearward face forms an arch-shaped contactable by a cam surface provided on the cocking
opening into the interior. The action includes a breech 55 lever with movement of the cocking lever serving to
block which has a leading portion of lesser relative actuate the pre-extraction lever, and, in turn, the ejector
width than that of the receiver which extends within to initially move a cartridge from the chamber.
the interior of the receiver and which is slidably en Additional objects, features and advantages will be
gaged within the arch-shaped opening of the receiver. apparent in the written description which follows.
The breechblock has a trailing portion which extends 60 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
outwardly from the arch-shaped opening of the re
ceiver, whereby the breechblock is allowed upward and FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single shot ri?e of
downward movement within the arch-shaped opening. the invention.
A one~piece stock contains the breechblock, barrel and FIG. 2 is a side view of the falling block action of the
receiver. An operating lever moves the breechblock 65 ri?e, partially in section with the ri?e cocked and the
upwardly and downwardly with respect to the receiver. safety on.
Preferably, the trailing portion of the breechblock is FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the safety off
also of lesser relative width than the receiver and of and the ri?e having been ?red.
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FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the initial 59 decreases along a portion of the length “1” thereof to
cocking action of the ri?e with the ejector contacting de?ne an internal shoulder 61 within the stock opening
the cartridge lip. . 59. The rearward face (23 in FIG. 6) of the receiver 19
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the operat engages the internal shoulder 61 within the stock open
ing lever completely extended to eject the spent car ing 59, whereby the internal shoulder comprises a recoil
tridge case. surface for the receiver within the stock.
FIG. 6 is an isolated, end view of the receiver of the As shown in FIG. 2, an operating lever 63 is provided
invention showing the retaining ledge in dotted lines. for moving the breechblock 41 upwardly and down
FIG. 7 is an isolated view of the receiver from the wardly with respect to the receiver 19. The operating
side and in cross-section. lever 63 is mounted at a pivot point 65 within the re
FIG. 8 is a top, partial view of the one-piece stock ceiver 19. A striker 67 is mounted in the breechblock 41
showing the stock opening. parallel to the cartridge chamber 37 for alignment with
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the ri?e action. the chamber 37 when the breechblock is moved to the
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE upward, ?ring position by the operating lever as shown
15 in FIG. 2. The striker 67 includes a tubular extent 69
INVENTION
which decreases in external diameter in the direction of
FIG. 1 shows a single shot ri?e of the invention desig the cartridge chamber and terminates in a projecting pin
nated generally 11. The ri?e 11 includes a barrel 13 71 which is aligned within an opening 73 provided in
having opposing ends 15, 17. A receiver 19 is mounted the breechblock 41 for striking the cartridge base to ?re
on the end 17 of the barrel 13. The receiver 19 (FIG. 2) 20 the cartridge. The striker 67 has an open interior 75 into
has a forward face 21 which joins the barrel 13 and a which is positioned a coil spring 79 and a spring guide
rearward face 23 separated by opposing sides (25, 27 in 77. A threaded striker plug 80 retains the striker, spring
FIG. 6) which de?ne a length (“1" in FIG. 7), a width and spring guide within a bore 82 provided in the
(“w” in FIG. 6) and an interior 29 of the receiver. The breechblock 41 (see FIG. 9). The striker 67 is thus
rearward face 23 forms an arch-shaped opening 31 into 25 spring biased in the direction of the cartridge chamber
the interior 29. A portion of the interior 29 of receiver 37 by means of coil spring 79 acting against the striker
19 comprises a threaded bore 33 for matingly engaging plug 80.
the external threads 35 of the barrel 13. The barrel 13 A striker block 81 is mounted in the breechblock 41
also includes a cartridge chamber 37 for receiving a and includes an upwardly directed ?ange 83 which is
cartridge 39. 30 pivotable into engagement with a detent surface 85
A breechblock (41 in FIG. 9) having a leading por (FIG. 3) provided in the striker 67 to control the move
tion 43 of lesser relative width than that of the receiver ment of the striker 67 between a locked position as
19 extends within the interior 29 of the receiver (see shown in FIG. 2 in which motion of the striker is pre
FIG. 2). The breechblock leading portion 43 includes a vented and a free position as shown in FIG. 3 in which
mating region which is slidably ‘engaged within the 35 the striker is allowed to strike the cartridge. Biasing
arch-shaped opening 31 of the receiver 19. Preferably, means, such as coil spring 87, normally urge the striker
the arch-shaped opening 31 includes a lip region (45 in block 81 downwardly, away from the striker 67. The
FIG. 7) which extends along the periphery of the open striker block 81 also has a forward extent which forms
ing 31, thereby de?ning a retaining ledge within the a yoke having sides 82, 84 (FIG. 9). The inner walls of
receiver interior 29 adjacent the arch-shaped opening 40 the yoke include beveled shoulders 86.
31. The breechblock 41 also includes an integral trailing A trigger 89 is pivotally mounted within the breech
portion 55 which extends outwardly beyond the arch block 41 at a pivot point 91 for movement between a
shaped opening 31 of the receiver. Preferably, the trail cocked position, as shown in FIG. 2, and a ?ring posi
ing portion 55 of the breechblock 41 is also of lesser tion as shown in FIG. 3. The trigger is normally biased
relative width than the receiver and of lesser relative 45 toward the cocked position, shown in FIG. 2, by means
width than the leading portion, the juncture of the lead of a spring loaded plunger 93 contained in a bore pro
ing and trailing portions de?ning a locking shoulder 51 vided in the breechblock 41. A rear trigger guard 95 is
on the exterior of the breechblock. The breechblock mounted within the breechblock 41 by pins 97, 98. Set
locking shoulder 51 contacts the retaining ledge 45 of screw 100 can be used to adjust trigger pull.
the receiver as the breechblock moves upwardly and 50 A sear 99 is mounted within the breechblock 41 at a
downwardly within the arch-shaped opening 31. The pivot point 101 for movement into contact with the
locking shoulder 51 of the breechblock also contacts the striker block 81 to hold the striker block in the locked
retaining ledge 45 within the receiver interior to form a position (see FIG. 2) when the trigger is in the cocked
recoil surface when the ri?e is ?red. As shown in FIG. position and for releasing the striker block (see FIG. 3)
7, the retaining ledge 45 forms an angle alpha of approx when the trigger is moved to the firing position.
imately 5' with respect to the plane of the rearward face The scar 99 is an L-shaped member having an upper
23, whereby the breechblock 41 moves on an angle of 5° surface 103 (see FIG. 3) for contacting the pivot end
off perpendicular. As a result, when the breechblock 105 of the striker block 81 and having a downwardly
begins lowering, it will immediately begin moving away extending leg 107 with a lower tapered extent 109. A
from the cartridge base. Because the breechblock 60 coil spring 110 is received within recess 112.
moves slightly rearward as it starts down, any possibil A safety 111 is slidably mounted on the breechblock
ity of binding due to an expanded cartridge is elimi 41 for vertical movement in a plane parallel to a rear
nated. wall 113 of the breechblock 41. The safety is an elon
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ri?e includes a one gate member having a window opening 120. The safety
piece stock 57 for mounting the barrel 13, receiver 19 65 111 can be moved between a safety position, shown in
and breechblock 41. The one-piece stock 57 has an FIG. 2, in which an internally tapered surface 115 en
opening (59 in FIG. 8) which contains the receiver and gages the lower tapered extent 109 of the sear 99 in the
the breechblock. The width “w” of the stock opening locked position and a ready position (see FIG. 3). In the
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ready position, the sear downwardly extending leg 107 123 of the connecting link 121 moves the cocking lever
is free to swing within the window opening 120. The 127 toward the rear wall 113 of the breech block. The
safety 111 has an upper extent 117 (FIG. 2) which pro upper extent 151 of the cocking lever 127 forces the
trudes above the breechblock 41 when the safety is in striker 67 rearwardly within the striker chamber 153 to
the safe position. A lower extent 119 (FIG. 3) extends the position shown in FIG. 4.
below the breechblock 41 in the ready position. As the operating lever 63 begins to move from the
As shown in FIG. 2, the operating lever 63 is con position shown in FIG. 3, the cam surface 147 contacts
nected to a connecting link 121 at a pivot point 122. The the pre-extraction lever 143 which, in turn, contacts the
connecting link 121 is, in turn, connected to breech ejector 133 causing the upper end 137 to contact the
block 41 at pivot point 155, facilitating the lowering and 10 cartridge lip 139. A spring loaded plunger 140 in the
raising of breechblock 41 by movement of operating operating lever 63 forces the ejector 133 in the upward
lever 63. The connecting link 121 includes a cam sur direction, the ejector being allowed some vertical play
face 123 (FIG. 4) which is adapted to contact a rear face at the enlarged opening 140. As the operating lever
125 of a cocking lever 127. The cocking lever 127 is an moves to the position shown in FIG. 4, the operating
elongate member which is mounted at a pivot point 129 lever 63 is pivoted about pivot point 65 in the receiver
in the breechblock 41 at one extent and has an opposite and the connecting link 121 is pivoted about pivot
extent which protrudes through a window opening 131 points 122 and 155 so that the breechblock 41 moves
(FIG. 2) provided in the striker 67. As shown in FIGS. downwardly within the receiver 19. During the pivot of
3-5, movement of the operating lever 63 causes the cam connecting link 121, the cam surface 123 on connecting
surface 123 of the connecting link 121 to move the 20 link 121 engages internal shoulders 86 on striker block
cocking lever 127 rearward in a direction away from 81, raising striker block ?ange 83 into engagement with
the cartridge chamber 37 and cock the striker 67 . As the striker 67. Once the striker detent surface 85 is engaged
striker 67 moves to the cocked position, the upwardly by the striker block ?ange 83, the spring loaded plunger
directed ?ange 83 of the striker block 81 engages the 93 returns the trigger and sear to the original position
detent surface 85 (see FIG. 3) to retain the striker in the 25 shown in FIG. 4. As the operating lever 63 moves to the -
cocked position. The operating lever 63 can then be fully open position shown in FIG. 5, the ejector 133
returned to the position shown in FIG. 2. forces the spent cartridge 39 outwardly from the car
As shown in FIG. 3, the ?ring mechanism also in tridge chamber 37. The operating lever 63 can then be
cludes an ejector 133 which is mounted within a yoke returned to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The
opening on the operating lever 63 at pivot point 65. The 30 cocking lever 127 is spring loaded by means of spring
ejector 133 is a dog-leg shaped member having an upper 157 to return to the forward position shown in FIG. 2 .
end 137 for contacting a lip region 139 of a spent car once the operating lever 63 is returned to the closed
tridge 39. The ejector 133 has an enlarged opening 140 position. As a result, the cocking lever 127 is not carried
(FIG. 9) for receiving mounting pin 142. forward by the striker 67 during ?ring, effectively elim
A pre-extraction lever 143 is mounted at a pivot point 35 inating its mass moving with the striker.
145 by a pin 146 within the receiver 19 and is contact The various parts of the ri?e design which have been
able by a cam surface 147 provided on the cocking lever described provide a novel ri?e action with unique ad
63, movement of the cocking lever serving to actuate vantages over the existing art. For instance, the con
the pie-extraction lever 143 and, in turn, the ejector 133 necting link 121 serves several important functions in
to initiate cartridge ejection from the chamber (see 40 applicant’s design. First, it pivotally links the breech
FIGS. 3-5). block 41 to the operating lever 63 to raise and lower the
The operation of the ri?e will now be described with breechblock. Secondly, it partially retracts the striker
reference to FIGS. 2-5. FIG. 2 shows the ri?e with a 67 by camming the cocking lever 127 before any down
cartridge 39 in the chamber 37, the striker 67 being in ward motion 'of the breechblock to insure that the
the cocked position and the sear 99 holding the striker 45 striker pin 71 is withdrawn within the opening 73.
block 81 in the locked position. The tapered surface 115 Thirdly, the connecting link 121 fully retracts the
of the safety engages the mating surface 109 of the sear. striker 67 to a cocked position by camming the cocking
In FIG. 3, the safety upper extent 117 has been pushed lever 127. Fourthly, it raises the striker block 81 into the
downwardly to free the sear 99. The trigger has also cocked position and engages the striker. Fifthly, it func
been pulled moving its upper extent 149 from beneath 50 tions as a locking lever when the operating lever is fully
the sear, thereby allowing downward movement of the closed. Sixthly, the cam surface 159 on the connecting
striker block 81. Because the striker block 81 is spring link serves to fully position the ejector 133 to its for
loaded downwardly by coil spring 87, a light weight ward position when the operating lever is fully closed.
striker 67 utilizing a small coil spring 79 can be utilized. The operating lever of applicant’s design works with
In certain of the prior designs, the striker block is spring 55 the other components of the action to serve at least
loaded upwardly, requiring the striker spring to over seven major functions: (1) it raises and lowers the
come the striker block during fu'ing, thus losing impact breechblock; (2) it recocks the striker in conjunction
energy. with the connecting link and cocking lever; (3) it pivots
As the striker block moves out of engagement with the ejector at the proper moment to eject the cartridge
the detent surface 85, the striker 67 is propelled forward 60 case; (4) it serves as the front portion of the trigger
by the force of the spring 79 so that the pin 71 contacts guard; (5) it acts as a cover for the bottom of the breech
the cartridge 39. FIG. 3 shows the gun in the tired block against dirt and debris when in the closed posi
position. tion; (6) it provides a housing for the ejector spring and
In addition to being spring biased downwardly, the plunger; and (7) it cams the preextraction lever prior to
striker block 81 of the present design is manually 65 pivoting the ejector.
cocked through the combined effort of the operating In addition to its unique operation, an additional ad
lever 63, connecting link 121. As the operating lever is vantage of applicant’s design is the provision of an ac
moved away from the trigger guard 95, the cam surface tion which is compact enough to be received within an
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opening in a traditional style, one piece stock. A one
piece stock contributes greatly to accuracy of the ri?e
and eliminates the tendency toward vertical impact shift
inherent in the two piece stocks utilized in the prior art
designs. Because the trailing portion of the breechblock
41 extends out of, rather than being surrounded by, the
receiver walls, a drastic reduction in mass and surface
area of the ?ring mechanism is allowed. This reduction
in mass and surface area is accomplished without a loss
of recoil surface or locking strength in the action due to
the arch-shaped opening 31 and lip region 45 of the
receiver and the mating breechblock. The arch-shaped
opening 31 provides a structural locking surface equiva
lent of that to a bolt-action ri?e and prevents the side changes and modifications without departing from the
walls of the opening from spreading by virtue of the 15 spirit thereof.
connecting property of the arch. The arch also provides ‘ What is claimed is:
an upper stop for the breechblock 41 which allows a
past dead-center looking action by the corresponding
locations of the connecting link 121 and operating lever
63. This also facilitates the relocation of the breech 20
block 41 in its position in the receiver to the same posi
tion each time the breechblock is raised and lowered.
The receiver lip 45 and past dead-center locking action
also serve to lock the operating lever 63 into its closed
position with no other mechanical locking devices. 25
Because the width of the trailing portion 55 of the
breechblock 41 is less than the width of the receiver 19,
the rearward face 23 of the receiver can be utilized as a
recoil surface within the stock. This design provides a
greater recoil surface area than in bolt-action designs in 30
which a stop plug is traditionally utilized. The design
also adds the balance of having recoil surfaces on either
side of the receiver and cartridge chamber and by posi
tioning the recoil surfaces nearer to the center line of
the bore.
The vertically sliding safety 111 completely blocks
the sear 99 in the safety position, thereby providing a
positiye safety. The safety is totally ambidextrous and
does not require interchange depending upon any par
ticular shooter. The design is simple and quick to oper
ate. Because the safety protrudes from the top and bot
tom of the breechblock, its position relative to safe or
?re, is readily detected by the user.
Because of the arrangement of the cocking lever 127,
connecting link 121 and operating lever 63, opening or
closing of the operating lever 63 serves to cock the
striker. Thus, if the trigger is accidentally pulled while
the breechblock is open, the action is again cocked upon
closing the operating lever.
The one-piece stock and ?ring mechanism provide a
falling block action with accuracy comparable to that of
a bolt action design while preserving the aesthetic ap
pearance of the ?rearm.
Applicant’s ri?e action also exhibits superior ?ring
characteristics which can be expressed best in terms of
the “lock time” of the action. As explained in the book
“The Bolt Action”, Stuart Otteson, Winchester Press,
page 245, the total elapsed time required to ?re a car
tridge, that which is attributable to the ri?e and ammu
nition involves three distinct intervals: trigger actuation
to sear release, sear release to striker impact, and striker
impact to exit of the bullet from the muzzle. The ?rst
two are combined under the term “lock time” and the
third is termed “action time” Lock time in a bolt action
typically runs between about 2-9 milliseconds. For 65
non-straight line systems such as found in levers, pumps
and automatics, lock time can be even considerably
greater. The lock time of the applicant’s action has been
calculated at 1.5 milliseconds in test ?rings which repre
sents a substantial improvement over the existing ac
tions.
The present action is extremely tidy and compact
offering the capability of an exceptionally light weight
ri?e. The completed ri?e is approximately six inches to
eight inches shorter than a comparable bolt action ri?e
with the same length barrel. The receiver and breech
block are strong enough to withstand the pressure of
commercially available high powered sporting car
tridges.
While the invention has been shown in only one of its
forms, it is not thus limited but is acceptable to various
1. A single shot ri?e, comprising:
a barrel having opposing ends;
a receiver mounted on one end of the barrel, the
receiver having a forward face which joins the
barrel and a rearward face separated by opposing
sides which de?ne a length, a width and an interior
of the receiver, the rearward face forming an arch
shaped opening into the interior;
a breechblock having a leading portion of lesser rela
tive width than that of the receiver which extends
within the interior of the receiver and which is
slidably engaged within the arch-shaped opening
of the receiver, the breechblock also having a trail
ing portion of lesser relative width than the re
ceiver which extends outwardly from the arch
shaped opening of the receiver, whereby the
breechblock is allowed upward and downward
movement within the arch-shaped opening, the
35 arch-shaped opening including a lip region which
extends along the periphery of the opening,
thereby de?ning an internal retaining ledge con
tained within the receiver interior adjacent the
arch-shaped opening, the breechblock leading por
tion being provided with a mating region formed
therein including a locking shoulder which
contacts the retaining ledge within the receiver and
breechblock as well as a recoil surface when the
ri?e is ?red;
45 a stock containing the breechblock, barrel and the
receiver; and
means for moving the breechblock upwardly and
downwardly with respect to the receiver.
2. A single shot ri?e, comprising:
50 a barrel having opposing ends;
a receiver mounted on one end of the barrel, the
receiver having a forward face which joins the
barrel and a rearward face separated by opposing
sides which de?ne a length, a width and an interior
of the receiver, the rearward face forming an arch
shaped opening into the interior;
a breechblock having a leading portion of lesser rela
tive width than that of the receiver which extends
within the interior of the receiver and which is
slidable engaged within the arch-shaped opening of
the receiver, the breechblock having a trailing
portion of lesser relative width than the receiver
which extends outwardly from the arch-shaped
opening of the receiver, whereby the receiver ter
minates short of the breechblock trailing portion
and the breechblock is allowed upward and down
ward movement within the arch-shaped opening
with the trailing portion being unconfined by the
 ' ‘‘ 4,879,827
9 10
receiver, the arch-shaped opening including a lip an operating lever for moving the breechblock up
region which extends along the periphery of the wel'dly and downwardly Wlth respect to the re
opening, thereby de?ning a semi’circular internal eelvel';
retaining ledge contained within the receiver inte a striker mounted in the breechblock in line with the
rior adjacent the arch-shaped opening, the breech 5 chamber when the breechblock is in the upward,
block leading portion being provided with a mating ?ring position for striking a cartridge;
a striker block movable between a lock position in
region formed therein including a locking shoulder which motion of the striker is prevented and a free
wlfich Font?“ the feminine leflge within :‘he re‘ position in which the striker is allowed to strike the
ceiver interior to form a semi-circular locking lug 1O cartridge;
region between the receiver and breechblock as biasing means for normally urging the striker block
well as a recoil surface when the ri?e is ?red; downwardly, away from the striker;
a one-piece stock for mounting the barrel, receiver a trigger pivotally mounted within the breechblock
and breechblock, the one-piece stock having an for movement between a cocked position and a
opening which contains the receiver and the 15 ?ring Position, and aseal' pivotally mounted Within
breechblock; and the breechblock for movement into’ contact with
means for moving the breechblock upwardly and the striker block to hold the striker block in the
downwardly with respect to the receiver. lock position when the trigger is in the cooked
3. The single shot ri?e of claim 2, wherein the width position and for releasing the striker block when
20 the trigger is moved to the ?ring position; and
of the stock opening decreases along a portion of the a safety slidably mounted on the breechblock for
length thereof to de?ne internal shoulder within the vertical movement in a plane parallel to a rear wall
stoclf openmg and “(harem the rearwmrd face of the of the breechblock between a safety position in
receiver engages the internal shoulder within the-stock which the safety positively engages the sear in the
Opening whereby the internal shoulder eemp?ses ‘1 25 lock position and a ready position, the safety hav
recoil surface for the receiver within the stock. ing an upper extent which protrudes above the
4. A single shot ri?e, comprising: breechblock when the safety is in the safety posi
a barrel having opposing ends and a cartridge cham- tion and a lower extent which extends below the
her therein for receiving a cartridge: breechblock in the ready Position
a receiver mounted on one end of the barrel adjacent 30 _ 5- The single Shot ri?e of claim 4, Whefeinthe Operat
the location of the cartridge, the receiver having a mg lever is pivotally connected to the receiver and to
forward face which joins the barrel and a rearward the breechblock via a connecting link for moving the
. . . breechblock upward and downward within the re
face separated by opposmg Sides whlch de?ne a ceiver, the connecting link having a cam surface
length, a width and an interior of the receiver, the 55 th
, _ ereon.

r°a¥wa¥d face haYmg mll'shaped opening
Whlch includes 3 hp r6310?‘ whlch extends along
the Penphery of the Openmg, thereby defining a
retaining ledge Within the receiver interior adja-
cent the arch-shaped opening;
a breechblock having a leading portion of lesser rela-
tive width than that of the receiver which extends
within the interior of the receiver and which is
slidably received within the arch~shaped opening
of the receiver, the breechblock having a trailing 45 of the connecting link to contact the striker block to
portion which extends outwardly from the arch
shaped opening of the receiver, whereby the
breechblock is allowed upward and downward
m°v°mem_w1thm the arch-Shaped opemng be‘ 50
tweet} a ?mlg and a loadlltg Position; _ vided on the cocking lever, movement of the cock
‘1 one'plece Stock for mountmg the barrel’ l'ecelvel'
and breechblock» the One-Piece Stock having an
opening which contains the receiver and the
breechblock;
6. The single shot ri?e of claim 5, further comprising:
a cocking lever pivotally mounted within the breech
block for cocking the striker; and
wherein movement of the operating lever causes the
40 cam surface of the connecting link to contact the
cocking lever to move the cocking lever and cock
the Stfikef- ,
7. The single shot ri?e of claim 6, wherein the move
ment of the operating lever also causes the cam surface
move the striker block to the locked position.
8. The single shot ri?e of claim 7, further comprising:
an ejector pivotally mounted within the receiver;
a pre-extraction lever pivotally mounted within the
receiver and contactable by a cam surface pro
ing lever serving to actuate the pre-extraction lever
and, in turn, the ejector to remove a cartridge from
the chamber.
55 a a a n a

60

65